Master of Public Health

Department Website: Master of Public Health

A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree prepares individuals to work with broad communities and specific populations to improve their health outcomes through research, policy, awareness, and education. Due to the increased emphasis on community health and the need for public health professionals, MPH degree offerings are proliferating across the country, in both online and hybrid formats.
The MPH program at Gonzaga University will be an accreditable, generalist MPH program housed in the newly renamed School of Health Sciences. It will be focused on educating students in the public health foundations and core competencies mandated by CEPH, the Council for Education in Public Health. The foundations are grounded in the professions and science of public health and factors related to human health (CEPH, 2021). Throughout the program, students will gain competency in evidence-based approaches to public health, public health and healthcare systems, planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, leadership, communication in public health, interprofessional and/or intersectoral practice, and systems thinking (CEPH, 2021).

Master of Public Health

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
PUBH 510	Foundations of Public Health	3
PUBH 520	Determinants of Health	3
PUBH 530	Epidemiology	3
PUBH 550	Biostatistics	3
PUBH 560	Public Health Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice	3
PUBH 570	Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation	3
PUBH 580	Public Health Policy and Practicum	3
PUBH 680	Applied Learning Experience and Planning	3
Select three of the following:		9
NURS 644A	Business of Healthcare Mngmnt	3
NURS 645A	Legal, Regulatory, and Ethics in Healthcare	3
COML 560	Communications for Behavior Change	3
Communication and Social Marketing
COML 598/ORGL 506	International and Intercultural Communication	3
COML 509	Social Media Engagement and Analysis	3
COML 540	Digital Media Analysis	3
COML 516	Disinformation in Digital Age	3
COML 550	Visual Data Communication	3
COML 505	Digital Storytelling	3
COML 507	Mindful Leadership and Communication	3
COML 512	Strategic and Crisis Communication	3
ORGL 515	Leadership and Human Potential	3
ORGL 516	Relational Dynamics and Organizational Development	3
ORGL 517	Organizational Change and Transformation	3
ORGL 689	Special Topics	1-3
Hate
DPLS 776	Special Topics	1-3
Research
PUBH 541	Application of Health Communication	3
PUBH 531	Climate, Society, and Environment	3

Courses

PUBH 510. Foundations of Public Health. (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to the field of public health, exploring its history, philosophy, core values, functions, and essential services. Students will examine the major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality and the importance of evidence-based approaches in advancing public health knowledge. The science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health will also be covered.

PUBH 520. Determinants of Health. (3 Credits)

This course explores the various determinants that impact population health, including environmental, biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, social, political, and economic factors. The course also examines globalization's effects on health and applies an ecological perspective to the connections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health.

PUBH 530. Epidemiology. (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology. It covers the application of epidemiological methods to public health practice, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Students will explore major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality, and learn to apply biostatistics, informatics, and computer-based programming in public health research. 

PUBH 531. Climate, Society, and Environment. (3 Credits)

This course explores the intersection of climate change, societal factors, and environmental health. Students will analyze the impact of climate change on population health, evaluate the connections between human, animal, and ecosystem health, and develop strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of environmental changes. 

PUBH 540. Introduction to Health Communication, Promotion, and Behavior. (3 Credits)

This course provides an overview of key concepts in health communication, promotion, and behavior. Students will explore communication strategies, cultural competence, and behavioral theories essential for designing and implementing effective health promotion programs.

PUBH 541. Application of Health Communication. (3 Credits)

This course explores the application of health communication theories and models to public health practice. Students will design and implement communication strategies for health promotion, analyze the effectiveness of these strategies, and effectively communicate complex public health information to non-academic audiences. The course also examines the role of media and technology in health communication. 

PUBH 550. Biostatistics. (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to biostatistical methods and their application in public health. Students will learn to analyze quantitative data, use computer-based programming for data analysis, interpret statistical results, and understand the role of biostatistics in public health.

PUBH 560. Public Health Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice. (3 Credits)

This course provides an in-depth exploration of research methods used in public health to develop evidence-based practices. Students will learn to select appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, analyze data using relevant tools, interpret results, and apply epidemiological methods to inform public health research, policy, and practice.

PUBH 570. Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. (3 Credits)

This course provides an in-depth exploration of public health planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students will learn to assess population needs, design and implement public health programs with cultural competence, manage resources effectively, and evaluate the impact of public health initiatives. 

PUBH 580. Public Health Policy and Practicum. (3 Credits)

This course provides an in-depth examination of public health policy and practice. Students will explore the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence, and learn to propose strategies for stakeholder engagement and coalition building. The course will emphasize advocacy for policies and programs that improve health in diverse populations and evaluate the impact of policies on public health and health equity. Additionally, students will compare the organization, structure, and function of health care and public health systems across different settings.

PUBH 680. Applied Learning Experience and Planning. (3 Credits)

This course focuses on developing detailed plans for applied learning experiences in public health settings. Students will assess community needs, design evidence-based interventions, integrate interprofessional perspectives, and apply systems thinking to address public health issues.